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Thanks. I would hate to see someone I love kill themselves. A friend of mine his dad did so. But he had gone through several strokes. IOW his mind was not rational. Suicide leaves a family damaged and the hurt from loss much more intense. Added to that the monetary issues it creates. But I do not believe it is an unforgivable sin but rather a human failure. Christ while on the cross said one of His final words "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." I don't think anyone in a rational mind takes their own life.

This can also put many things into gray areas such as end of natural life. I had an aunt a devout RC who in her final months gave up eating. She was elderly and lived a full life. Nothing tasted good and she lost all desire for food. I see that falling under a dismissal of ones spirit being into GOD's hands. I believe a person can literally will themselves to die even without the physical act of suicide. I also think to some who attempt it for whatever His reasons GOD denies it to them.

A person thinking of suicide needs mental health help well beyond what most clergy in any church can give or are qualified. There is a very real danger of saying the wrong thing like Brother if you only had more faith etc. This only compounds their problems and they see it as more failure on their part and give up. Even the most skilled therapist loose a certain percentage and I do know several therapist who are Christians and in their therapy use Biblical principles for healing and finding peace.

Not even preachers are exempt from falling into the despair to desire to take their own life. It's one of the most difficult things as therapist deals with.

The way to reach them is to explain the pain they leave to others first. Give them a reason to want to live not out of fear but rather they are still needed here amongst the living.

Even Christ had to step away from the world around Him as it become a bit much to deal with. He would either by himself or with the 12 retreat for a period of time to let the mind, body, and spirit rest. I learned about that the hard way when I was going to the hospital every night to see my then girlfriend. The mind in extreme fatigue can play some nasty tricks. If you don't give it rest it will literally make you. I'm Baptist myself but a Nun explained to me why I had became numb in all my feelings. She told me go home and rest and take a few days to myself. She was right.